Global Airport Innovations: Sustainability, Tech & Efficiency

Shannon Airport (Ireland) has introduced an electric First Mover vehicle handling unit, becoming the first airport in the country to deploy this type of equipment. The First Mover R 3500 is a remotely operated electric system designed to lift and transport vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg, including electric vehicles, which cannot be handled using conventional towing methods due to battery sensitivity. The unit uses a tracked platform and flatbed lifting mechanism, allowing operators to move vehicles from a distance of up to 100 m.

The equipment has been introduced in response to the airport’s fleet electrification, with 24 electric vehicles representing approximately 50% of the total vehicles. It is intended to enable faster removal of disabled vehicles and support airfield operations by reducing disruption.

The deployment forms part of wider infrastructure and sustainability measures by The Shannon Airport Group, including a EUR 15 million (USD 16.3 million) terminal upgrade programme focused on energy efficiency and reduced reliance on fossil fuel systems.  

Munich Airport (Germany) has introduced electric apron buses supplied by MAN Truck & Bus, a German commercial vehicle manufacturer, to replace diesel-powered airside vehicles. The airport’s ground handling subsidiary, AeroGround, is converting its apron bus fleet to electric vehicles, with up to 74 buses planned for deployment. Currently, 37 MAN Lion’s City E buses are in operation, transporting passengers, crew and staff across the airfield.

The rollout forms part of Munich Airport’s plan to achieve net zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2035. The electric buses are intended to replace existing diesel units used for airside passenger and staff transport.

Alongside the deployment, MAN Truck & Bus and Munich Airport have launched a six-part social media series following daily operations with electric buses and presenting the role of airport bus drivers.  

Istanbul Airport (Türkiye) has received 143 passenger boarding bridges and four elevators from thyssenkrupp Elevator as part of a major infrastructure contract. The systems form part of a wider mobility package delivered by thyssenkrupp Elevator, a global provider of transport and mobility solutions, supporting passenger movement from terminal entry to aircraft boarding. The equipment was manufactured in Spain and installed on site following the start of works in 2017, with delivery completed in 27 months.

The airport, developed with an investment of EUR 22.15 billion (USD 24.0 billion), is being constructed in multiple phases and is planned to include six runways and a total annual capacity of 200 million passengers. The initial phase includes two runways and a terminal designed to handle 90 million passengers.

thyssenkrupp Elevator will retain a long-term role at the airport through a maintenance contract for the installed boarding bridges.  

Smiths Detection has received certification for its AI-based baggage screening system under European aviation security standards. The iCMORE Automated Prohibited Items Detection System has been approved by the European Civil Aviation Conference for use with the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX scanner, meeting APIDS Standard 1 requirements for automated detection of prohibited items at airport security checkpoints. The system uses AI algorithms to enable alarm-only viewing, allowing operators to focus on flagged baggage rather than routine image analysis.

The certification follows prior approvals in the Netherlands and Germany and enables deployment of the system across compliant European airport security operations.

A&K Robotics, a Canada-based mobility technology company, has raised CAD 8 million (USD 5.9 million) in Series A funding to expand deployment of autonomous passenger transport systems in airports. The funding will support the transition from pilot projects to permanent installations across North America and Europe, alongside increased production capacity and continued research and development. The company plans to scale manufacturing from dozens to potentially hundreds of units per month and is establishing additional facilities, including a research and prototyping site in Surrey, British Columbia.

A&K Robotics develops self-driving electric “mobility pods” designed to transport passengers within airport terminals, particularly those requiring assistance over long distances. Its Cruz vehicle operates using the company’s Kinesos AI system, which integrates data from cameras, sonar and LiDAR to navigate dynamically changing indoor environments.

The system is currently in use at Vancouver International Airport (British Columbia, Canada) and Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain), where it supports passenger movement within terminal facilities.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has awarded new contracts for the operation, maintenance and upgrade of its automated people mover systems, covering both the Plane Train and ATL SkyTrain networks. Alstom has secured a five-year extension, valued at approximately EUR 140 million (USD 160 million), to operate and maintain the airport’s underground Plane Train system, which connects terminals and concourses via a 4.5 km tunnel and carried 95 million passengers in 2025. The contract includes full system operations, maintenance of vehicles and infrastructure, and cleaning services, with options for two additional one-year extensions. Alstom is also delivering capital upgrades, including the supply of 63 Innovia APM R vehicles to increase capacity and service frequency.

Separately, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, through Crystal Mover Services, has been awarded a ten-year contract running from March 2026 to March 2036 to upgrade the ATL SkyTrain system. The programme includes replacement of signalling systems, equipment upgrades and the provision of additional and replacement vehicles to support long-term performance.

The ATL SkyTrain connects the main terminal with the rental car centre via a 2.2 km elevated guideway and has been in operation since 2009. Together, the contracts form part of ongoing investment by the City of Atlanta to maintain capacity, reliability and operational efficiency across its passenger transport systems.  

Saltillo International Airport (Coahuila, Mexico) is set to implement the ACUS passenger processing system through a collaboration between Aeropuertos Mexicanos and Amadeus.

The ACUS (Airport Cloud Use Service) platform will support shared-use check-in and boarding processes, aiming to improve operational efficiency and enable the airport to accommodate additional airline services. A coordinated implementation roadmap is being developed following discussions between both parties.

Aeropuertos Mexicanos, a private airport operator in Mexico, has already deployed the system at Puerto Escondido International Airport and Tepic-Riviera Nayarit International Airport, where it supports passenger handling and operational processes. The introduction at Saltillo forms part of a wider programme to standardise systems and upgrade airport infrastructure within the operator’s network.

Phu Quoc International Airport (Kien Giang Province, Vietnam) is set to implement a fully digital, self-service passenger model through a new partnership between Sun Group and SITA. The agreement will introduce end-to-end automation across the passenger journey, including self-service check-in, bag drop, security processing and biometric boarding, supported by integrated data platforms and real-time operational systems. The rollout will begin at Phú Quốc Airport, with expansion across Sun Group’s wider aviation ecosystem, including Vân Đồn International Airport and Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

The development forms part of broader upgrades to position Phú Quốc as a 5-star international gateway, with digitalisation aimed at reducing processing times, improving operational efficiency and enabling a seamless passenger experience.

Future phases include off-airport check-in at hotels and resorts, alongside integration with tourism and hospitality services to create a connected travel ecosystem.

The project builds on earlier partnerships to develop Phú Quốc as an “airport destination” and supports preparations for increased international traffic, including APEC 2027.  

Guinault, which produces aircraft servicing equipment such as ground power and air conditioning units, has signed a five-year contract with SATS at Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore). The agreement covers the supply and commissioning of ground support equipment as part of a wider SATS investment programme valued at over SGD 250 million (USD 185 million), including more than 200 motorised units.

The deployment supports fleet renewal and infrastructure expansion at the airport, alongside preparations for long-term growth linked to Terminal 5 and the Changi East development.

Leidos, a United States-based defence and technology company, and Analogic, a manufacturer of imaging and detection systems, have agreed to form a joint venture focused on security screening technologies. The new entity will combine Leidos’ Security Enterprise Solutions business with Analogic, which is owned by Altaris, bringing together detection technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and engineering resources within a United States-based company with global operations. The venture will focus on developing next-generation screening systems, including AI-based and 3D imaging technologies.

Leidos will contribute approximately 1,500 employees and a projected 2026 revenue of USD 625 million to the joint venture, while retaining a significant minority ownership stake. The combined business will operate under the Analogic brand.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions, with the company targeting growth in the global detection and imaging market.

Publisher’s note: The articles in this special report, compiled for inter airport Europe, are a few select samples from the biweekly Momberger Airport Information newsletter, published since 1973. The newsletter is an advertising-free, global airport news service that consists of 9 modules and allows subscribers to customize their own newsletter package. The modules that make up the biweekly newsletter are: Airport Development (DEV), Calendar of Events (CAL), and the subscriber-selectable modules Airport Operations (OPS), Management, Ownership & Finance (MGT), Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Air Traffic Services (ATC), Consultant & Contractor / Sustainable Aviation (CON), Airport Information Technology (AIT), and Maintenance Base & FBO (MRO). For more information, a sample of a complete newsletter issue, and to order an annual subscription, please visit www.mombergerairport.info.

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